MIAMI MUSIC FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES CONFERENCE LINEUP AND SHOWCASE STAGES
Three-day event will present 600 performances on 25 stages in the Brickell area of downtown Miami, and a two-day conference for emerging artists
(Miami, FL) October 5, 2009 – The Miami Music Festival has announced details of its showcase festival and conference for emerging artists taking place this December 10-12, 2009. The conference will be held in the North, Central, and South halls of the James L. Knight International Center at the Miami Convention Center.
“We realize that many artists are coming a long way to perform for the music industry and local audiences at The Miami Music Festival, and we want to reward them not only with great exposure for their showcases, but also with the tools to take their careers to the next level when they return home.” said Conference Director, Serona Elton.
Conference topics include “Making A „Ready For Primetime? Demo,” “What?s Working Online” and “Video Production On A Shoestring,” with panel discussions organized by Billboard, BMI, The Recording Academy and many others. A full list of sessions and speakers is attached, and can also be found at miamimusicfestival.org.
The Festival?s live showcase performances will feature Rock, Alternative and singer/songwriter acts, and spotlight Latin, Urban, Caribbean and Jazz. Performances will take place in four large tents on lots in the South Miami Avenue and SW 7th Street area, as well as nearby clubs in restaurants including:
_Transit Lounge (three stages)
_ Tobacco Road (three stages)
_ The Hard Rock Café (two stages)
_ Waxy O?Connor?s (two stages)
_ Japengo at the Hyatt Regency Miami,
_ Red Bar
_ Gordon Biersch
_ Blue Martini
_ Havana Dreams
_ Ecco (upstairs)
_The Olympia Theater at the Gusman Center
Several other venues and keynote speakers will be announced later this month. Independent artists can apply to perform at the MMF by going to miamimusicfestival.org.
For more information, contact: Patricia San Pedro San Pedro Productions Patricia@sanpedroproductions.com 305-445-4979 or visit miamimusicfestival.org
Panel Descriptions
GET PLAYED, GET PAID: Maximizing Opportunities and Income in the Digital Environment (Presented by SoundExchange)
We all know that independent artists and labels can now find their target audiences online. But how do you get noticed by bloggers and the various online music services, promote your music to them and then get paid as a performer on your sound recordings when your music gets played? What’s the best online digital marketing method? What can a digital aggregator really do for you? How do you get your music onto iTunes, and how do you get promoted there. Are there other iTunes-like retailers and is it worth it to post there? Should you use the social sites yourself or work with a social consultant or company? How do you use the online environment to grow your fan base? There are so many web based promotional tools and services for musicians and labels, but which ones are the most effective and why? This panel of experts will detail how to get played and get paid as well as other exciting opportunities in the digital realm!
How I Wrote That Song (Presented by BMI)
Don’t miss out on this Must-See panel that will include some of today’s most distinguished and talented artists in the music industry. Go behind the scenes and learn about the songs that they have written and experience live performances that reflect the development of the individual compositions. From TV and Film, to Latin, Pop and Urban music creation, nothing will be left to the imagination as our BMI panelists will share their thoughts with everyone and offer up an opportunity for Q&A on the business of songwriting and how they create the music that you know so well.
How to Talk to an A&R Exec
In these days of sound bites and information overload, you have to be quick and concise with your message. Learn about what an A&R exec wants to hear and know about an artist to get them interested.
The Thin Line Between Talent and Star
Superstars have far more than talent – they have that special star quality! Learn about all of the factors that go into transforming a talented artist into a force of nature.
Making a “Ready-For-Primetime” Demo (Presented by Cakewalk)
Demo recordings have increasingly found their way onto e-retailers “shelves,” so make sure yours are worthy of not only presenting your music but are viable, professional, finished recordings.
Making A Life In Jazz
Listen and learn from this panel of distinguished artists and industry veterans as they discuss the various revenue generating and career enhancing opportunities for jazz artists today.
Music Licensing Strategies for Independent Artists
Think broadly about how your music can generate revenue, and learn about creating and licensing music for use in television, film, and video games.
Sound Adventures: Putting Together the Live Show
Hear about production techniques, tricks of the trade, and cool new tools available to enhance your live performance.
SoundLab (Presented by the Florida Entertainment Summit)
Recording Artists and Producers will have an opportunity to pitch their music to DJs, Mixshow Directors, Film Producers, A&R’s, Marketing Agencies and Advertising Agencies
Starting Your Own Entertainment Company
Get in the know on important topics such as defining what product or service your company is going to provide; people issues involving partners, investors, accountants, and lawyers; setting yourself apart from your competitors; staying afloat in this economy; and planning for growth in the future.
The 10 Most Important Questions To Ask Your Music Publisher (Presented by SESAC)
This group of experienced executives and professionals will walk you through the most important questions that a songwriter should ask their music publisher, including topics that are typically addressed in a songwriter agreement as well as those that are not.
The Billboard Latin Music Panel
Listen in as top Latin music industry executives and artists discuss different factors affecting the Latin music world today.
The Business of Hip-Hop: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (Presented by the Florida Entertainment Summit)
Making it in today’s Hip-Hop world requires new skills and an awareness of the new music industry. The panel deals with avoiding pitfalls, suggests new ideas and talks about the meaning of “fresh.”
The Future of R&B
While these experienced R&B gurus won’t be bringing their crystal balls to the panel with them, they will share with you their views on where R&B music is headed.
The Producer’s Panel (Presented by The Recording Academy®, Florida Chapter)
A panel discussion featuring major producers/engineers who will discuss creative and business trends in music.
Touring, Indie Style
Learn ways that an aspiring up-and-coming artist can put together a tour, including a discussion of do’s and don’ts, legal considerations, and how to work with agents and concert promoters.
Video Production On A Shoestring Budget
Only have $500, $1000, or $5000 to put into making a video? How to make your money stretch to give you the best video for your bucks.
When to Call a Lawyer, and Who To Call
Learn about: finding and working with a lawyer; important things to consider about your band name; what to do if someone is infringing on your copyright; submitting your music to contests, and other things you may not have even thought about!
When To Say No To A Label, and When To Say Yes
Learn to weigh the pros and cons of signing with a record label, and to analyze the different factors that influence an artist’s decision to sign or stick with the D.I.Y. model.
Speakers To Date:
_Kedar Massenburg (former President and CEO of Motown Records, and founder of Kedar Entertainment) Keynote Interview
_ Steve Robertson (Vice President of A&R, Atlantic Records)
_ Wayne Williams (Senior Vice President of A&R, Jive Records)
_Jimmy Douglass (Producer and Engineer – Rolling Stones, Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake, Timbaland)
_Marcella Araica (Producer and Engineer – Usher, Missy Elliot, T.I.)
_Jim Jonsin (Grammy award-winning Hip-Hop Writer and Producer, and Entrepreneur)
_Leila Cobo (Executive Director, Latin Content & Programming at Billboard)
_Jorge Mejia (Vice President, Latin America and U.S. Latin, Sony/ATV Music Publishing)
_Billy Cobham (Music legend)
_Ed Calle (Latin, Jazz, and Pop Saxophonist)
_Nicole Henry (Jazz Singer)
_Marcus Johnson (Jazz Pianist, Producer, and Entrepreneur)
_Betty Wright (Miami Music Festival Ambassador and Grammy award-winning Soul and R&B singer)
_Kurt Abdo (Entertainment Attorney, Lommen Abdo Law Firm)
_Ivan Alvarez (Founder and Principal, CdA Group)
_David Bercuson (Entertainment Attorney, David Bercuson, P.A.)
_Ron Bienstock (Entertainment Attorney, Bienstock & Michael, P.C.)
_Jim Boitnott (President/CEO, NOTION Music, Inc.)
_Gabrielle Bozza (Artist Manager and Entertainment Attorney, The Hub and Bozza Law, P.A.)
_Demacio “Demo” Castellon (Producer and Engineer – Ludacris, Rihanna)
_Kenny Cordova (Associate Director, SESAC)
_Lu Diaz (Executive Vice President, Poe Boy Digital, and recording and mixing engineer)
_Roy Elkins (Founder and CEO, Broadjam)
_Fernando Fazzari (President, Fazzari Entertainment; Former tour manager for RBD)
_Cainon “Lamb” Lamb (Producer and Writer – Jazmine Sullivan, Missy Elliot)
_Ethan Levinson (Senior Talent Buyer, AEG Live SE)
_Melanie Masterson (Eleven:11 Entertainment, Inc., Artist Manager, Spam Allstars)
_Neeta Ragoowansi (Director of Artist-Label Relations, SoundExchange)
_Larry Rosen (Musician, Producer, Executive Producer, and Entrepreneur)
_Rey Sanchez (Former Musical Director for Chayanne, and Associate Professor at the University of Miami Frost School of Music)
_Richard C. Wolfe (Entertainment Attorney, Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler)
_Dan Zank (Composer /arranger of music for film and television)
_Leslie Zigel (Entertainment Attorney, Ziglaw)
_Jesse Stoll (Operations Coordinator, AEG Live SE)